Gettysburg re-enactments draw couples together

Starry skies, campfires and a life free from technology can help spark romance, re-enactors say

Re-enactors Travis Roth, left, and Sara Troxell, right, take part a mock Civil War style wedding on Saturday with the Rev. Alan Farley at the 151st Battle of Gettysburg re-enactment. The two are a couple, but have only been dating about 8 months. They were "voluntold" for the mock ceremony, which was held in addition to a real vow renewal, at the last minute after another couple dropped out, Roth said. (Shane Dunlap — The Evening Sun)

Re-enactor John Davis poses for a portrait with his wife, Lillian Garland, both from Woodbridge, Va., during the 151st Battle of Gettysburg re-enactment in Gettysburg. Davis and Garland were married for several years before they even visited their first re-enactment camp in Manassas, Virginia. Now, in re-enactments, Davis plays his great-grandfather, who was a runaway slave, and Garland draws on her background in theater to re-enact as historic black women like Elizabeth Keckley. (Shane Dunlap — The Evening Sun)

When the pastor declared them husband and wife, Sarah Troxell and Travis Roth could barely hold back giggles as Roth gingerly placed a kiss on Troxell's cheek.

The pair, dressed in Civil War garments, had just been "married" in a mock ceremony in front of a crowd of several dozen tourists at the annual Battle of Gettysburg re-enactments. And while the wedding wasn't real, their romance was.

Troxell, 20, and Roth, 22, are one of many couples who, together, brave the summer heat in wool jackets and long dresses for Civil War re-enactments.

The pair met about eight months ago at a ball for re-enactors in Cedar Creek, Virginia. Roth asked Troxell to dance to the "Grand March," and they have been together ever since.

They never thought they would be married so soon, though — even in a mock ceremony. They were "voluntold" at the last minute after another couple dropped out, Roth said.

"Even though it wasn't real, I actually felt kind of nervous," he said with a laugh.

Many couples meet on the battlefields, where the simple living and shared passion for history sometimes bring people together. Take, for example, Catherine Switzer and Bruce Lindsay, who started dating shortly after the 146th anniversary of the battle. The starry nights, uninterrupted time together and smells of campfires are great for couples who want to spend more time together, Switzer said.

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She and Lindsay met at a Civil War re-enactment about 10 years ago. Lindsay, 60, was a 30-year re-enactment veteran whereas Switzer, 54, was just starting out. Since then, they have set up their Civil War-era tent in dozens of historic sites from Virginia to Gettysburg.

While the close quarters, limited sanitation and sometimes stifling heat would be enough to drive most people apart, these things have only brought the couple closer.

"You really have to like one another to be able to do this," Switzer said with a laugh.

Re-enactors Patrick and Kathleen Davis pose for a portrait Saturday at the 151st Battle of Gettysburg re-enactment. (Shane Dunlap — The Evening Sun)

She added that, at least for her and Lindsay, the couple that re-enacts together, stays together. Lindsay proposed to her on Valentine's Day this year, and they hope to take part in a mock Civil War ceremony in October before they recite their vows for real.

Not all re-enactor couples meet on the battlefields, though. Lillian Garland, 62, and John Davis, 68, were married for several years before they even visited their first re-enactment camp in Manassas, Virginia.

While there, Garland bought a blue Civil War-era taffeta gown, simply because she liked it. After talking to some friends, she realized she would have an excuse to wear it as a re-enactor with the American Women of the Civil War.

Davis served as the group's photographer for a few years before his wife convinced him to join in on the act. Now, he plays his great-grandfather, who was a runaway slave, and Garland draws on her background in theater to re-enact as historic black women like Elizabeth Keckley.

For them, re-enacting is not only a way to connect as a couple, but also a way to talk about a cause they both believe in — raising awareness about the lives of slaves during the Civil War. The pair uses humor to ease any discomfort guests might have about discussing the topic.

"It's not so much romantic as it is funny," Garland said of their time re-enacting together. "We just have fun."

Re-enactors Maria Long, left, and her husband, George Long, right, of Altoona, renew their marriage vows along with other couples on Saturday as the Rev. Alan Farley conducts the ceremony at the 151st Battle of Gettysburg re-enactment in Gettysburg. (Shane Dunlap — The Evening Sun)